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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Unremarkable, fluff fiction. This particular book in the series isn't necessarily the worst, and I had high hopes when I started it. Given that I came in with few expectations, I would say that I was still underwhelmed.
My first main criticism is this: There is an undercurrent of misogyny that tends to run through Kevin Anderson and Brian Herbert's writing that is offputting. In reading the Dune series from The Butlerian Jihad through to the end of the House series, it rears its head from time to time, and though this book is by no means its most egregious, it can still be apparent. Along with this is the criticism surrounding the portrayal of homosexuality being associated solely with the evil characters.
Next up, there are also whole chapters that could be entirely removed and it wouldn't affect the story or the characters at all. The book, and the series in general is in need of a better editor to make the story tighter.
My last criticism of this book and the series as a whole is that it goes for over-the-top villain characterization. Villains are EVIL without any redeeming qualities whatsoever. They're caricatures, and the authors go to great lengths to demonstrate it in the most over-the-top ways possible. Rape, and casual, gratuitous murder and destruction are the hallmarks of the evil characters, and they go so far to make sure that we know that they're evil and have no other driving motive than to be evil and powerful. The good characters have this same flaw as well, in that they tend to be overarchingly good.
My first main criticism is this: There is an undercurrent of misogyny that tends to run through Kevin Anderson and Brian Herbert's writing that is offputting. In reading the Dune series from The Butlerian Jihad through to the end of the House series, it rears its head from time to time, and though this book is by no means its most egregious, it can still be apparent. Along with this is the criticism surrounding the portrayal of homosexuality being associated solely with the evil characters.
Next up, there are also whole chapters that could be entirely removed and it wouldn't affect the story or the characters at all. The book, and the series in general is in need of a better editor to make the story tighter.
My last criticism of this book and the series as a whole is that it goes for over-the-top villain characterization. Villains are EVIL without any redeeming qualities whatsoever. They're caricatures, and the authors go to great lengths to demonstrate it in the most over-the-top ways possible. Rape, and casual, gratuitous murder and destruction are the hallmarks of the evil characters, and they go so far to make sure that we know that they're evil and have no other driving motive than to be evil and powerful. The good characters have this same flaw as well, in that they tend to be overarchingly good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Moderate: Misogyny
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
No offense to Frank Herbert, but his son's prequel novels were definitely more entertaining than the actual Dune novels. The elder Herbert delved more deeply into the scientific and psychological aspects, I felt. The younger Herbert gave a whirlwind presentation of the Dune universe, rife with action, romance, intrigue. This particular trilogy of the younger Herbert was very entertaining. I highly recommend it (House Atreides, House Harkonnen, House Corrino) for any science fiction fan.
The only unfortunate thing is, afte reading this, Dune, and Foundation, every other science fiction book I tried only diminished in scope, power, and ability to enthrall.
The only unfortunate thing is, afte reading this, Dune, and Foundation, every other science fiction book I tried only diminished in scope, power, and ability to enthrall.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Much better than the Butlerian jihad prequels. Could be because here we have familiar established characters so their interactions and story are better presented.
Gostei bastante de entrar no prólogo da Casa Atreides e conhecer os pais de Leto Atreides, a honra da casa e a lealdade que é a sua força e tb fraqueza. É-nos apresentado o Barão Vladimir Harkonnen e a explicação do seu futuro corpo deformado via as tentativas de jogadas com as irmãs Bene Gesserit para construir o Kwisatz Haderach. As irmãs ganham sempre a jogada mesmo quando parecem estar a sofrer uma humilhação massiva. Também nos é apresentada o declínio do imperador para no final ser substituído pelo Padishah emperor Shaddam IV. A trama de intrigas neste primeiro livro é espetacular e a forma como Leto já Duque consegue escapar a perder toda a sua fortuna via bluff e chantagem com o seu primo futuro imperador é genial. Outra personagem importante é o planetologista Pardot Kynes que vai para Arrakis com a missão de compreender como é criada a Spice Melange mas acaba vivendo com os fremen com o objetivo de transformar passado 100 anos o planeta Arrakis num planeta com água e plantas.
Being a big fan of the Dune saga and everything Dune related really, i really liked this book, as it allows u to dig deeper onto the dune universe by showing you the story of the atreides house that led to its current state as shown in Dune.
be prepared for action, romance and overall an all-nighter. ;P
I don't understand why people hate these books so much. Frank Herbert was best at writing political/philosophical conversations that kept you entertained without the need of typical action scenes that make the Sci-Fi genre what it is. Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson seem to be taking the safe way and use a lot of action scenes/storytelling to avoid butchering Frank's legacy by trying to mimick his writing style.
The original Dune books are dense and make you think, make you change views on a lot of things. This one gives you backstory on your favourite (and not so favourite) characters, as well as the story of Space Guild Navigators, the baron's descent into *disgusting bloated gravity free fatness*, and Duncan's awesomeness, as well as the origin of Leto Atreides. If you go into these books with realistic expectations, you'll be pleased with the result. If you go into these books thinking you'll be experiencing another Frank Herbert mind-blowing novel, you'll be disappointed. Read it for what it is, and keep an open mind
The original Dune books are dense and make you think, make you change views on a lot of things. This one gives you backstory on your favourite (and not so favourite) characters, as well as the story of Space Guild Navigators, the baron's descent into *disgusting bloated gravity free fatness*, and Duncan's awesomeness, as well as the origin of Leto Atreides. If you go into these books with realistic expectations, you'll be pleased with the result. If you go into these books thinking you'll be experiencing another Frank Herbert mind-blowing novel, you'll be disappointed. Read it for what it is, and keep an open mind
Inventive, but not as satisfying as the Legends of Dune books. Not terrible but not brilliant either.